Roosters praise NRL powerhouse Dylan Napa

Dylan Napa's borderline hits and Jake Friend's excruciating injury are all part of the NRL and shouldn't be singled out, according to Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Queensland State of Origin prop Napa was a central figure in the Roosters' 32-0 mauling of the Warriors on Saturday in Auckland, unleashing a succession of big hits as his side dominated the forward contest.

One bruising tackle on Isaiah Papali'i led to him being placed on report, while some other collisions might pique the interest of the match review committee.

Asked if the 25-year-old was bordering on dangerous play, Robinson was succinct.

"He's a front-rower," he said.

"People like to isolate guys, and that's fair, but everyone played their role."

Co-captain Boyd Cordner, who is likely to butt heads with Napa in this year's Origin series, was more bombastic, describing every hit from his teammate as a potential momentum changer.

"I don't play against him week in, week out but I'm sure he puts that fear into other teams," he said.

"They'll probably look for where he is in the defensive line."

Robinson confirmed tough hooker Friend was playing with a cracked sternum which needed painkillers.

Rather than dwell on the courage required to play a long season in such pain, Robinson said it was part of a sport that had few physical equivalents.

"If you walk in and see players preparing for a match, that's the beauty of our sport," Robinson said.

"They go and get what they need to do to get out onto the field.

"People watch our game for character. As far as team sports go, we're at the extreme end on pushing them mentally and physically, under fatigue, with brutality."

Robinson confirmed game-breaking winger Daniel Tupou (chest) was still two to three weeks away from a return.